Leeds-based Asda has trumped rivals Tesco to get the go-ahead to build a major new store in the city today.

In a battle of the supermarket giants, both companies wanted to build stores next to Middleton District Centre, off Middleton Ring Road, in south Leeds. But councillors sitting at a specially-convened planning meeting decided only one of the proposals could go ahead - and plumped for the Asda development.

The Civic Hall meeting, which lasted almost three hours, heard council officers say that granting approval to both applications would adversely affect existing businesses in the district centre - and also trade in the surrounding communities of Morley, Rothwell, Hunslet and Dewsbury Road.

Asda's successful proposals include a 6,000 square metre supermarket with 330 car parking spaces, a petrol filling station and a three-storey office/warehouse building off St George's Road. They have also agreed to relocate existing business Brandon Medical with a new headquarters in the south Leeds area.

See the big picture

Graham Connell, from property consultants Colliers CRE, said that shopping hadn't really developed as it should at Middleton District Centre, and that councillors had to see the overall picture when taking their decision.

"The combination of the two major sites would form a major shopping magnet and attract people from all over the area," he said, adding that he favoured the Asda scheme because it had better direct links with the existing shopping centre and that access from the planned Tesco site wasn't as good.

Local residents speaking at the meeting were split over the plans.

Some said they preferred Tesco's proposal because it would replace a local eyesore in the form of the dilapidated Benyon House.

Kenneth Hepples, a resident of more than 50 years, said Middleton and Belle Isle were desperately in need of large-scale development and the 300-plus jobs the developments would each bring.

But others, such as Middleton Community Group, said Asda had widespread support and that their proposal would be better for the district centre.

Councillors asked the developers a number of questions regarding access, highways issues and their green travel plans.

Little to choose

In truth, there was little to choose between the schemes, which were both valued at around the £1.7m mark when improvements to the commitment to road improvements, jobs and training for local people, public transport provision and other costs were taken into account.

Some councillors said that Tesco's plan would have seen work start immediately, and that there were concerns that legal delays while seeking permission for road closures could hold Asda's proposals up - but the meeting ultimately felt Asda had the better long-term plans for the area.

Councillor Mick Lyons said: "After listening very carefully to all the arguments and counter arguments, I think we should accept the planning officers' recommendation and accept Asda's plans."

Councillor Donald Wilson added: "Asda has slightly the better location, but the attraction for me are the benefits the rapidly expanding Brandon Medical will get from this."

The Reverend councillor Alan Taylor added: "I'd still like to see them both on the site."